Mumbai: A fire broke out in a residential flat on the fifth floor of a six-storey building in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar area on Saturday afternoon. The incident occurred around 12:45 pm at Vikas Apartment, located behind Pant Nagar police station in Ghatkopar East. Visuals of the blaze have surfaced on the internet showing massive flames coming out of the flat’s window.

According to a media report quoting fire brigade officials, the blaze was swiftly brought under control, and no injuries were reported. A fire engine and a water tanker were dispatched to the site to carry out the firefighting operation and the flames were completely doused by 1:20 pm. The exact cause behind the fire is yet to be ascertained.

Fire On 42nd Floor Of Byculla High-rise

This incident follows another major fire that erupted on Friday morning in a high-rise residential building, Salsette 27, located on B A Road, Byculla East. The fire broke out in a flat on the 42nd floor of the 57-storey tower. The Mumbai Fire Brigade received the first alert about the blaze at approximately 10:45 am, and it was successfully extinguished by 1:10 pm. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.

According to Mumbai Fire Brigade officials, Salsette 27 is a newly constructed high-rise that is only partially occupied. The fire originated in flat number 4203, which was vacant and undergoing renovation at the time.

Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Ravindra Ambulgekar stated that while the exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined, there is a possibility that renovation work might have contributed to the incident. He also confirmed that the building’s internal firefighting system was in working condition.

Some residents reportedly evacuated the building before emergency services reached the scene, while others were safely escorted out by fire officials.

Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Saturday said that the Pune rape accused was hiding in a sugarcane farm and was caught using a drone. He assured that a thorough investigation is underway to ensure justice.

“Till day before yesterday, people were raising questions about why he was not arrested. He was hiding in a sugarcane farm. We used a drone to catch him. His situation was such that he tried to die by suicide. I am firm on the point that such incidents shall not happen anywhere. Now, efforts are being made to get the case investigated properly. Let the facts come out after a detailed investigation. Action will be taken against those who are vandalising public property,” Pawar said.

The accused Dattatray Ramdas Gade was absconding since the incident happened on Tuesday, when the rape survivor, a working woman, was waiting for a bus to return home to Phaltan, which is located around 100 km away.

The accused allegedly approached her, falsely claiming that the bus to her destination was parked elsewhere. He led her to a MSRTC Shivsahi bus parked in the depot, where he allegedly raped her.

A Pune court on Friday remanded Dattatray Ramdas Gade, the accused in the Pune bus rape case, to 12 days of police custody till March 12.

Meanwhile, speaking on Maharashtra politics, Pawar commented on Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s statement about expanding the Shiv Sena’s influence across the state.

“Everyone has the right to expand their party. Wherever Eknath Shinde goes in the state, he can say that he wants to saffronise the district. In the same way, CM Fadnavis can say he wants to see the BJP’s flag in the whole district. Similarly, I can also say that I want to see NCP’s flag everywhere in the state. But there is nothing special about it. We have decided to be united. It’s the people who decide who gets the mandate. We keep the interest of the state ahead while working,” he added.

Mumbai: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge announced new appointments for the party’s legislative wing in Maharashtra. The appointments include key leadership roles in both the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council, aiming to strengthen the party’s functioning in the state legislature.

List Of Legislative Assembly Appointments

In the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, senior leader Amin Patel has been appointed as the Deputy Leader of the Congress Legislative Party. Former minister Amit Deshmukh will serve as the Chief Whip, ensuring party discipline and coordination among MLAs. Vishwajit Kadam has been given the role of Secretary, while Shirishkumar Naik and Sanjay Meshram have been appointed as Whips to assist in legislative proceedings.

List Of Legislative Council Appointments

For the Maharashtra Legislative Council, Satej alias Bunty Patil has been named as the Group Leader of the Congress Party. Abhijit Wanjari will take charge as the Chief Whip, responsible for managing party strategies in the upper house. Rajesh Rathod has been assigned as a Whip to support the party’s legislative work.

The appointments are seen as part of Congress’s efforts to streamline its leadership and strengthen its position in the Maharashtra legislature ahead of crucial political developments in the state.

Harshwardhan Sapkal Takes Over As Maha Congress Chief

Meanwhile, newly-appointed Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal officially assumed office on Feb 18, pledging to strengthen the party’s organization and lead it back to power in the state.

Sapkal’s appointment came as a surprise to many in political circles, as he was a relatively lesser-known figure within the party. The decision sparked mixed reactions, with some Congress loyalists expressing disappointment, particularly on social media, where they expected a more seasoned leader to take charge.

However, Sapkal remained unfazed by the criticism and embraced the challenge with confidence. During his inaugural speech, he made a powerful statement by quoting the iconic lines, “Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamare dil mein hai, zor kitna baazue kaatil mein hai…”, signaling his determination to lead the party with vigor.

The event was attended by key Congress leaders, including Ramesh Chennithala, Nana Patole and former Chief Ministers Prithviraj Chavan and Sushilkumar Shinde, who extended their support to the new state president.